Charity launches emergency appeal after calls for help from abused women soar in lockdown

Domestic abuse charity Jewish Women’s Aid has launched a fundraising appeal in the wake of “unprecedented demand” for its services during the lockdown.

JWA reports that, compared to previous years, it supported 27 per cent more women in April. It also last month delivered 25 per cent more hours in direct client work than in March.

“We’re dealing with more women asking for help and more children being traumatised through witnessing the abuse,” said CEO Naomi Dickson. “So far, our support staff have been able to cope with the increase in demand. But like the rest of the sector, we believe this is the tip of the iceberg — and that as society begins to open up again, we are going to experience a level of need that we are simply not equipped to deal with.

“We are asking the community to stand against abuse by supporting our appeal.”